It was a big moment for Patrick Maroon and, just as important, it came at a big moment for the Ducks.

Trailing by a goal in the second period and finally able to get some semblance of their game going, the Ducks hoped their fourth line could bring them a productive shift that would create some momentum.

It did that and more. Maroon tied the game with a deflection of Kyle Palmieri's shot for his first NHL goal, which tied the game and helped the Ducks eventually get to a shootout and beat the Nashville Predators, 3-2, on Saturday night.

"Obviously we were down 2-1," Maroon said. "We knew what we had to do. We needed the energy so we had to create some energy and create some offense. Just throw pucks to the net and go to the net.

"We knew that before we had to go out there. Obviously it was a big momentum change. It tied the game and led to a victory. I'm pretty excited."

Familiarity played a key role in the goal. Maroon played with Palmieri and Peter Holland on the same line for the better part of the last two years in the minor leagues.